Should taxpayer dollars be used to fund private education?

[jbt]

I went to a Catholic school for grades 1 through 8. I could tell without a doubt that I received a better education. The teachers in 7th and 8th were very good, and I still remember my science teacher from those grades. (I believe that the teachers in my private school were paid less than other teachers in public schools, but liked the no-nonsense policies of the school. Also the money my parents spent on me to go to private school was less than what the state spent for each public school student.)

I felt that my freshman year in a public high school was a repeat of my 8th grade year at the Catholic school because everything that year just seemed very easy. (Just as a reference, I was never an exceptional student in public or private school because I would mostly get Bs and a C at times. The public high school that I went to was in a "rich" area and newly built. My class sizes at both schools were about 25 to 30 kids per class, except for special classes like PE or art.)

One example:
My freshmen year science teacher, in a public high school, was horrible. She constantly lost assignments to the point that my friend had the teacher sign a paper when he handed in assignments. He was eventually was given an A in the class because she couldn't produce his work. I personally never saw a report that I handed in at spring break and other assorted assignments. (I think she had to teach a class to be eligible to coach cheer.)

I would say that most of the teachers were good, it is just this one instance that always sticks out in my head.

One element mentioned in other posts is parent involvement. My parents always pushed me to complete every assignment and were able to help me when I needed it. Put simply, they cared about my success.

Based on my experiences in a public high school and summer school, I will try to send my kids, when I have them, to a private school for at least for the lower grade levels. To answer the question from the original post, I am not sure to what extent money should be given to private/charter schools, i.e. vouchers for only the poor or to anyone.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by jbt

snip~ (I believe that the teachers in my private school were paid less than other teachers in public schools,

Also the money my parents spent on me to go to private school was less than what the state spent for each public school student.)~snip

With lay teachers paid less and Clergy teachers not paid at all, it should be cheaper to operate. But don't make the mistake of thinking the tuition your folks(and Others) paid, came close to covering the costs of operation. Most funding is not tuition.

snip~
The public high school that I went to was in a "rich" area and newly built. My class sizes at both schools were about 25 to 30 kids per class, except for special classes like PE or art.)

New schools are a problem. They get hind teat when it comes to staffing because established teachers don't jump schools that often. So, you get newly graduated, disgruntled elsewhere, or transient teachers, a lot. Usually teachers do more than just teach. They get assigned all kinds of activities and in a new school that would mean getting those activities organized rather than taking over a set routine. Very time consuming stuff.

Based on my experiences in a public high school and summer school, I will try to send my kids, when I have them, to a private school for at least for the lower grade levels.

See, See, there's proof you were brainwashed.

Welcome to the Cellar, jbt. Good post.

[Ibby]

I simply don't trust religious-based schools to value the teaching of the child over indoctrination into the religion and brainwashing.

[Griff]

Originally Posted by Ibram

I simply don't trust religious-based schools to value the teaching of the child over indoctrination into the religion and brainwashing.

That is a valid reason for you not to choose a particular school. Any good school has core principles which everything is organized around. My kids' school is Catholic. Academics are pushed pretty hard, but the atmosphere is Christian in the positive sense of that word. Bullying, which is apparently the organizing principle of our local public school, is unacceptable to staff and students alike. My child (elected class rep.) is actually comfortable sitting down with our principal if she sees a problem developing. I'd like to see more alternatives in private education, but with public schools disrupting the market only religous and big dollar schools can compete.

[Sundae]

Originally Posted by Ibram

I simply don't trust religious-based schools to value the teaching of the child over indoctrination into the religion and brainwashing.

I went to a Catholic school from the age of 5-12 and I received a wonderful education. We even started sex education in the final year - something that some secondary schools (13-16) weren't including as anything other than biology at the time.

[Toymented]

Originally Posted by Luisa

Guys,

I am doing research on this topic and I would love to hear your opinions. I am of the opinion that no taxpayer dollars should be used to fund private education. What do you think?

No, taxpayer dollars should not be used to fund private education. Nor should taxpayer dollars be used to fund public education. Dismantle the failed, union-infested public school political/social influence machine.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by Toymented

No, taxpayer dollars should not be used to fund private education. Nor should taxpayer dollars be used to fund public education. Dismantle the failed, union-infested public school political/social influence machine.

Yes sir, nothing like a little constructive criticism to smooth the wrinkles. No wonder Spellcheck wanted to change Toymented to Tormented.
I'd take a wild guess that you're an anarchist? What institutions are you rethinking, or just all institutions?

[Toymented]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Yes sir, nothing like a little constructive criticism to smooth the wrinkles. No wonder Spellcheck wanted to change Toymented to Tormented.
I'd take a wild guess that you're an anarchist? What institutions are you rethinking, or just all institutions?

Anarchist? No, way off.

I promote efficiency and benefits in a peaceful package.

As far as institutions, do you have a pet few that are off limits for discussion?

[yesman065]

Originally Posted by Toymented

No, taxpayer dollars should not be used to fund private education. Nor should taxpayer dollars be used to fund public education. Dismantle the failed, union-infested public school political/social influence machine.

Toy, tell me more about why you think unions are a problem.

[Toymented]

Originally Posted by yesman065

Toy, tell me more about why you think unions are a problem.

'Tis more important for unions to demonstrate their benefit(s). No?

[Happy Monkey]

They already have, unless all the nations without unions are the ones whose working conditions we want to emulate.

[Toymented]

Originally Posted by Happy Monkey

They already have, unless all the nations without unions are the ones whose working conditions we want to emulate.

Almost like proving God exists. The burden rests with the believer.

[Happy Monkey]

Originally Posted by Toymented

Almost like proving God exists. The burden rests with the believer.

True. Some people do prefer the working conditions in Malaysia to those in the US. Mostly the factory owners, but they're people, too.

[Toymented]

Originally Posted by Happy Monkey

True. Some people do prefer the working conditions in Malaysia to those in the US. Mostly the factory owners, but they're people, too.

The UAW and Teamster Leadership should head to Malaysia immediately!

[footfootfoot]

UNions are a double edged sword. They protect honest hard workers as well as incompetent malingerers.

In college we had a professor who said a number of times that he hated teaching, he hated the students and he was just marking time until he could retire with full benefits.

Needless to say he was a shitty, has been, who should have been kicked out on his ass a long time before.

Thank unions that we were graced with his presence for years.

No, I don't have an alternate suggestion, but that is one example of what is wrong with unions. I could also tell you about our sadistic first grade teacher who would routinely stab children with pens, pull their hair and make them sit in their seats, not allowing them to go to the bathroom until they wet themselves. Not only should this woman not have been teaching, she should have been beaten on the soles of her feet until her nose bled. But she retired, fully vested and probably got a gold star and a big bouquet of flowers. Fuck the unions, unless you are getting rich off of one.

How does a union worker start a bedtime story for his kids? "once upon a time and a half..."

How can you tell a union workers kid at the playground? He's the one standing around watching the other kids play.

How can you tell if a union worker has died?
The donut falls out if his hand

etc etc